SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Vigilante groups to confront Mexico's drug gangs

Human-rights groups criticize government for not providing basic security

Published: 12/18/2013 at 9:32 PM

(Fox News) Mexico’s human rights body said Tuesday that the government shouldn’t be allowing the formation of vigilante groups in areas where people are increasingly confronting drug gangs.

Raul Plascencia, president of the National Human Rights Commission, said the growth of these groups are already undermining the rule of law but could also lead to more violence. He blamed the emergence of such groups on an official failure to provide security.

“This is a failure for the government because it’s not able to offer the most minimum protection,” Plascencia said.